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Tuesday, June 05, 2007

I love Paris tap!Photo by Jim Wilson for the New York TimesLast week Marian Burrows wrote in the New York Timeson the subject of New York tap water. Restaurants may be forced to switch from bottled water to the local brew to save the environment from excess throw away glass bottles. Chez Panisse in Berkeley, always a leader in the restaurant world, has already switched.In Paris, tap water is one of the delights of the restaurant tabletop in my opinion.I love the variety and glitter glass carafes add...Even plain old Belgian chain Leon's has a beautiful luminous carafe...I WILL paint this! soon...Paris restaurants have served carafe d'eau of local tap water for eons.And why is this you ask?Visit any Parisian's home and you'll see bottled water lined up like soldiers in the kitchen.And supermarches are full of more brands than you can imagine.The reason is, because when eating out, The French know that wine costs less than BOTTLED water!So if you're trying to "pass", order that carafe d'eau or un verre d'eau!!!I love Paris tap because my watercolor paints love it.They jump around and flow in a way they don't behave on the home front.Maybe I do too :)Some say it's perhaps the excess calcium.I've tried all kinds of concoctions and gotten lots of chemical advice, even adding Champagne chalk and baking soda to New York tap...So far the best I've done is sneak home one little bottle of Paris Tap... I emptied myVitel in the AirFrance lounge and refilled it with the REAL stuff!But supplies are getting low...Anyway I'm all for New York restaurants adding lovely glass carafes to their tables.Go for it New York!

I just went to your blog to read about Paris Tap. I loveyour blog and it's design.I continue to enjoy your lovely paintings arriving on mycontactstream. I lived and worked in New York City for over ten years. I go back often, but your blog is a lovely reminder of the fabulous places I am missing.

Merci SHABBYI meant to say "bottled" water is more costly than wine in Paris cafes.Fixed now thanks to your sharp eyes.And NO, I don't paint with coffee, tea, coke or wine.I am currently testing out French waters...Desperate for a touch of Frenchiness in my brew...

Carol, I love this blog. For decades, I have secretly loved the look of clear, glass carafes and the look of water and other beverages in them. Only on this blog, do I find someone else who sees the beauty in everyday things like cafe tables, coffee cups and glass carafes.

I agree with charmingdesigns about the brush handle in your painting. I was particularly struck by the rich brown color and the light reflecting on the handle. I look forward to seeing your painting of the carafe, glass and spoon from photograph no. 4.

Dear Carol,So interesting how the "tap" in Paris has that je ne se quoi and makes magic in your work. My friend I have a friend who likes how her hair reacts to rainwater. She saves rainwater expressly for this purpose. Have you read the new Chez Panisse Book? I'm reading it now, and enjoying it very much. I agree with Alice Waters. It's crazy to pollute the earth in order to drink a bottle of water from Italy. Thank you for coming to visit my site today. It means a lot.

And Ode to Eau!How much better can it get?(Besides good cheap wine!)Truly beautiful painting.One of my friends today called your painting style "baroque", unusually rich (she's more knowledgable about art than I am). :-)May I mention that Viennese water eliminates the need for shlepping bottles: it comes straight from deep in the mountains. And tastes like it.

We just bought a new carafe that we love--it has a "hole" in the center of it that creates a handle...it's wonderful. I'm sure water does make a difference--shoot, it does on your hair and skin! Great post.

You know you and I must have been soul mates in another lifetime.When I was in Paris I adored those water bottles once I figured out what the deal was.last weekend we visited a street fair of old used things and I bought several old water bottles dated 1910-1920s.I enjoy seeing them everyday. Now I'll have to go on a quest next time to bring back some H20 for my watercolor painting!

Yes, I love carafes! My father-in-law and my uncles all have collections.

And the fact that wine costs less than water is one of the funny things I love about France. My French family always teases me with how expensive I am when I ask for water rather than wine. (Even though at family dinners, it's just tap water and so not actually more expensive than the wine as it is in restaurants.)

This is so funny! Paris tap -- smuggled home!! I love to read youI thought I was the only one who came up with things likethis but you do it too! I love your photos....wish i could make analbum of them.

PARIS in yr Mailbox!

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5 and I'm still at it. Now I live by the Seine on l'Ile Saint-Louis. Do consider subscribing to my Paris letters and maps on Etsy and enjoy a taste of Paris in your mailbox every month to savor with a hot chocolate and croissant. I paint Paris dreams.